What are the start-up costs of a greenhouse business?

As farmlands disappear at an increasing rate, many suburban and urban farmers are turning to high density CEA techniques to bring greenhouse businesses into the suburbs and, increasingly, into the urban core.

In Controlled Environment Agriculture, the aim is to “provide protection and maintain optimal growing conditions throughout the development of the crop.” This is done by housing production inside an enclosed space (a greenhouse or building).

Many CEA operations focus on growing a few specific crops as consistently as possible throughout the year. The goal is to provide a steady supply for customers and - as much as possible - to avoid seasonal interruptions. For wholesale customers, having uninterrupted supply is just easier, and may be the difference in their purchase decision.

Although it is possible to grow several crops at the same time, CEA is focused carefully on economics, and often the best way to beat the market curve is to become very good at growing a few crops.

For growers interested in broadening their crop selection, you may choose to build a separate greenhouse for crops that require a different growing environment.

This could mean warm weather herbs like basil or chives (with supplemental heating) from March through October. Or, it could mean cool weather herbs like mint and cilantro (with evaporative cooling) from March through October.

Read more at the Bright AgroTech blog